Meghan Markle has revealed that she was left feeling suicidal during her time as a royal, while speaking to Oprah Winfrey during a groundbreaking CBS interview.
"I just didn't see a solution," Meghan said candidly during the two hour TV chat, discussing the mental health toll of the vitriol that was thrown her way.
"Look, I was really ashamed to have to say [I was suicidal] at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially, but I knew that if I didn't say that I would do it.
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"I just didn't want to be alive anymore."
"It takes so much courage to admit you need help," she added, "to admit how dark of a place you're in."
When asked by Oprah just how close she got to taking her life, Meghan responded that her suicidal thoughts were "real and frightening", adding that at points she couldn't be left alone.
She harrowingly explained that when she asked if she could obtain mental health support she was told that she couldn't.
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"I went to one of the most senior people to get help. I share this because there are so many people who are afraid to voice that they need help, and I know personally how hard it is to not just voice it, but when you voice it... [to hear someone say] no," Meghan said.
Revealing she even spoke to the palace's HR team, she recalled: "I remember this conversation like it was yesterday, they said, 'my heart goes out to you because I can see how bad it is, but theres nothing we can do for you because you're not a paid member of the institution'."
"[Going to a hospital] is what I was asking to do," she said. "You can't just do that, I couldn't call an Uber to the palace, you couldn't just go. You have to understand...that was the last time I saw my passport, my drivers license, my keys. All that gets turned over."
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It was when she was denied the help she so desperately needed by the 'institution' that she and Harry decided to leave, she explained.
Meghan added that while she is thankfully in a better place now, she is speaking out to show people that "there is another side and that life is worth living".
The interview is currently being broadcast in the US on CBS, and is set to be shown here in the UK on Monday at 9pm on ITV.
Other topics that were broached during the chat include shocking allegations of concern over Archie's skin colour, the sex of the couple's newborn child and the fact that Prince Harry was cut off from his family when he left his duties.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from their position as working royals last year.
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In an official statement, the pair announced: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
"We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."
Anyone affected by this story or struggling in any way should call Samaritans for free on 116 123 - or write down your thoughts in an email to [email protected].
Featured Image Credit: CBS/ PATopics: Mental Health, Celebrity News, TV News, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle